Buzz
Moonshine often evokes images of rugged individuals navigating the Appalachian wilderness, crafting homemade alcohol in secret stills. During the era of American Prohibition, vast quantities of illicit spirits were sold, as demand far exceeded supply. When alcohol was legalized in 1933, the moonshine trade declined. Today, however, moonshine is experiencing a resurgence, inspiring TV series and liquor stores that offer mason jars filled with homemade spirits.
10. NASCAR
Modern NASCAR races are high-tech events, with precision-engineered cars that cost upwards of $100,000 to produce, all backed by billion-dollar sponsors. However, the origins of America's biggest spectator sport are much humbler. NASCAR was born during the Prohibition era when moonshiners used souped-up vehicles to outrun the law. Even after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, these bootleggers continued their reckless driving, evading the tax collector on the dirt roads of the Deep South.
Many of the pioneers in NASCAR were once bootleggers, including the renowned Junior Johnson. Having already spent a year in prison for running an illegal still, Johnson made the switch to NASCAR in 1955. He would go on to claim 50 victories before retiring in 1966.
9. Moonshine vs. Whiskey
Moonshine is essentially produced in the same way as whiskey, with one key distinction: whiskey undergoes aging in charred oak barrels for many years. Moonshine, by contrast, typically has a sharp, unrefined taste of pure alcohol, whereas whiskey boasts a more complex flavor profile. The taste of whiskey can vary greatly depending on factors like aging time, the grains used, and more. Some of the flavor notes found in whiskey can include hints of vanilla, fruit, cocoa, butter, and caramel.
8. A Brief History Of Moonshine
After the Revolutionary War, the new American government found itself deeply in debt. To help resolve the financial crisis, a federal liquor tax was introduced. Given that much of the revolution had been fought to escape oppressive taxes from the British crown, the tax was met with outrage. Many Americans refused to pay, continuing to make their own whiskey without giving the government its share.
In response, tax collectors were dispatched. Their reception was often less than friendly: many were beaten, tarred, and feathered. Within three years, a riot broke out. In July 1794, angry farmers destroyed a tax inspector’s home, leading to the Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania. A militia force, led by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton and Virginia Governor Henry Lee (father of Confederate leader Robert E. Lee), was deployed to quell the unrest.
While the militia succeeded in restoring order on the surface, it only pushed whiskey distillers further into hiding. Thomas Jefferson would eventually repeal the hated whiskey excise tax, allowing people to make their own whiskey once again for nearly 60 years. However, when the Civil War drained the nation's coffers, liquor taxes returned. This marked the beginning of a long history of moonshiners, many of whom continued their trade for generations.
7. Distillation
Distilling moonshine is a surprisingly straightforward process, involving just four primary ingredients: corn, sugar, yeast, and water. While corn is most commonly used due to its affordability and easy availability, it can be replaced by barley, rye, or even fruit. Some moonshiners even use hog feed, which can be purchased in large quantities without raising suspicion. The corn, sugar, and water are combined with yeast, which then ferments the sugars, producing alcohol. The mixture is heated to near boiling, accelerating fermentation and releasing alcohol steam. This steam is passed through a filter to remove any solid particles and is then directed into a coiled copper pipe, known as a 'worm,' where it cools in cold water, causing the alcohol to condense into moonshine.
6. Poison
The first portion of moonshine produced in a batch, roughly the first cup, contains impurities such as methanol, which is toxic. Responsible distillers will discard this initial portion, ensuring a safer final product for their customers. However, many unscrupulous individuals in the trade cut corners and use harmful ingredients. In the past, some moonshiners even used car radiators as condensers. These radiators were often soldered with lead, which is toxic, even in small amounts. Additionally, the radiators contained leftover antifreeze, which is laced with ethylene glycol—a deadly poison that is dangerously sweet-tasting.
Some moonshiners have been known to use unusual ingredients to boost the potency of their product, including manure and embalming fluid. To make matters worse, these concoctions are often brewed deep in the woods under unsanitary conditions, with the sweet mash attracting all sorts of insects and rodents.
5. Why Is Moonshine Illegal?
In the United States, brewing your own beer at home is legal in all 50 states, as long as it’s for personal consumption. However, distilling your own liquor is strictly prohibited. Distillers can break a variety of laws, such as possessing moonshine, using illegal containers (like mason jars or gallon jugs), hiding alcoholic beverages, and conspiring to break beverage laws. Yet, in true Al Capone style, most moonshiners are ultimately charged with tax evasion or money laundering.
The reason behind this is clear. While the government may be concerned about the health risks of illicit alcohol, their primary worry is financial. Spirits are heavily taxed, sometimes as much as $20 per gallon in certain states, making it a significant source of revenue. According to The Economist, Virginia alone loses $20 million in annual tax revenue due to illegal liquor production.
4. “XXX”
Before it became synonymous with adult entertainment, the “XXX” symbol had a markedly different meaning. Most often seen painted on the side of a big clay jug, “XXX” stood for moonshine—more specifically, for moonshine that had been triple-distilled. In the old days, the equipment for producing moonshine was quite crude. After one pass through the distilling process, the liquor typically wasn’t all that strong and likely full of impurities. After the third run, the last “X” was added, along with the guarantee that the jug contained some serious stuff.
3. Moonshine Around The World
The United States isn't the only country where moonshine is made. Nearly every nation across the globe has its own version of homemade alcohol, with some being more appealing than others. In South Africa, there's an unaged grape brandy called 'witblits.' In the Congo, there's 'lotoko,' a whiskey made from corn or cassava. In Russia, 'samogon,' a cheap-to-make spirit, is quickly surpassing vodka as the drink of choice, despite its associated risks of poisoning.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited in many Islamic cultures, and several countries in the Middle East, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and parts of India, have banned the sale of alcohol. In these regions, an underground liquor known as 'arrack' is often brewed, typically using ingredients like anise or fruit. In India, in particular, there have been deadly incidents involving arrack, as some batches have been laced with methanol.
2. Popcorn Sutton
Moonshiners are, by nature, elusive and live under the radar. A notable exception was Marvin 'Popcorn' Sutton, whose nickname came from an incident in his youth when he destroyed a popcorn machine with a pool cue. Sutton, one of the most famous moonshiners in the world, operated stills in Maggie Valley, North Carolina. While he often stayed ahead of the law, he was caught a few times throughout his lengthy career and served multiple probation terms. Popcorn Sutton appeared on several television shows, including Discovery Channel's *Moonshiners*, and published an autobiography titled *Me and My Likker*.
In 2009, a raid by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms on Popcorn Sutton's property resulted in an 18-month prison sentence. Sutton, who had recently been diagnosed with cancer, requested house arrest, but his plea was denied. Just before he was scheduled to begin his sentence, he tragically took his own life through carbon monoxide poisoning. The following year, Sutton's controversial legacy was honored when country music star Hank Williams Jr. collaborated with Sutton's widow to bring 'Popcorn Sutton’s Tennessee White Whiskey' to market.
1. Transportation
Today, news stories are filled with ingenious methods employed by those in the drug trade to smuggle their goods, from drug mules to submarines. These tactics are nothing new; in the past, alcohol smugglers used similarly inventive techniques. The term 'bootlegging' itself originates from the practice of concealing alcohol in boots. While fast cars were a favored method, boats were also commonly used. It was impossible for authorities to patrol every river, lake, and shoreline to stop the so-called 'rum runners.' During Prohibition, moonshiners often disguised their shipments in caskets, posing as a funeral to avoid suspicion, as authorities would never dream of inspecting a deceased body.
